'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the Year 1937' [‎17v] (34/72)

24
are finished and it is now proposed to import weaving machinery if an ex
change permit can be obtained. Production of yarn was kept up for part of
the year, until stocks accumulated which could not be disposed of. The
selling "price dropped from Rials 70 to R^als 48 per bundle. Since then only
two shifts of one hundred and fifty workers each have been employed and
the mill at present is only working five day^in the week.
58. The spinning mill owned by Dehqan Brothers, attached to the Elec
tric Company, commenced production at the No Rouz. 30-count yarn is
turned out, which does not compete with the other mill. Some was shipped
to Germany in the summer. A plan for a second mill has not been proceeded
with.
50. The Directors of these mills formed a subsidiary company, which
operates the cotton ginning plants in Shiraz and other parts of the Province
in co-operation with the Wool and Cotton Company.
60. An establishment started by the Agricultural Bank is producing
handwoven cloth and smaller articles. The looms were obtained from India
and machines for making ribbons and shoelaces from Japan. The looms are
sold or hired to weavers on an instalment plan, payment being effected by
sale of the products of the looms. Apprentices are trained.
61. The Fars Electric Company has ordered a new British diesel engine
of 650 H. P., which has remained in the Customs at Bushire throughout most
of the year. It has now been cleared, but difficulties have arisen over the
payment of a foreign expert required to erect it. As from the No Rouz a
ten-hour service was given for town lighting, starting at sunset. The price
per unit was at the same time reduced from Rials 5 to Rials 3-50. Since
the cotton mill started working the plant has been overloaded.
62. The Khollar Wine Factory An East India Company trading post. continued to produce wine, spirits, and
various liqueurs, a small quantity being supplied to Tehran and other cen
tres. A German engineer is in charge.
63. Plants for a cotton print factory An East India Company trading post. , a second spinning mill, cement
works, a pottery factory An East India Company trading post. , and soap and perfumery works have not been pro
ceeded with.
64. The Industrial Companies in operation at the end of the year were :—
Sherket-i-Sahami Nassaji-i-Fars (Fars Manufacturing Co.).
Sherket-i-Sahami Bargh-i-Fars (Fars Electric Co.).
Sherket-i-Sanayi-dasti (Handicrafts Co.).
Sherket-i-Khollar-i-Fars (Khollar Wine Co.).
65. The Government Sugar Refinery at Merv Dasht, 30 miles north of
Shiraz, re-opened for the winter season in November.
66. Military affairs. —The strength of the Fars Division remains about
the same. There have been various detachments on duty in different parts
of the Province during most of the year. The Shiraz barracks are now com
pleted and training has proceeded as usual. Unrest in Kuhgilu necessitated
a military expedition in the autumn. General Zandieh was replaced as
General Officer in Command by General Amidi.
67. The Road Guards (Amnieh) have been kept up to strength. Various
incidents occurred in Laristan with smugglers and troops had to be sent after
an attack on a post near Lar in September. The Officer Commanding Amnieh
was suspended in December and a new and energetic Colonel from Tehran
has taken over.
68. British interests. —The Consulate was in charge of Mr. A. E.
Watkinson throughout the year. His Majesty's Consul visited Isfahan from
April 4 to May 3 and again from October 10 to November 6, and also paid a
visit to Tehran. Mr. W. H. Young, Acting Vice-Consul at Shiraz, left for
Tehran on January 3 and was succeeded by Mr. R. F. G. Sarell. Mr. Sarell
and Mr. R. Cecil were attached to the Consulate on language duty during the
year, a part of which was spent in Isfahan. Mr. Cecil left for the United
Kingdom on sick leave in September. Mr. Sarell was posted temporarily
to Tehran o*i ,December 15. Khan Bahadur W. A. Ahad remained Pro-
Consul throfighout the year.